AIMS OF NATIONAL PARTY OUTLINED BY MR HOLLAND

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 15117, 28 October 1949, Page 3

AIMS OF NATIONAL PARTY OUTLINED BY MR HOLLAND

L production Stressed h Support I Rising Social Services.

OF EXISTING MECHANISM OF ,J RICE AND LAND SALES CONTROL

Christchurch, Oct. 28. ?A.) ♦«t taxation adjustments affecting elderly people, important' * ge thg giz3 of housing . loans f or eX-service-abst* 11 * -Jm of National Airways Corporation to joint owner--1 conversion u . ate siiare holders, restoration of private LV* e . «rrker c ' compensation insurance, and far-reaching Uprise in ««j e^3t i nP: mechanism of price control and land were among the policy points enumerated by Mr |s control, w_- Qf the Nationa i party, in his policy stateV 8° lla ' o Ti inn-his Party's election campaign at the Civic Lancflales Act, Mr Holland said it was Refeff S! entire Act could be repealed within a year. Lpedthattn e - ic supporfc by offering bribes to the " Wc d hv a series of glittering promises," said Mr Holland, lectors, or party has "no intention of trying to outbid the lJjje Naticnai our policy deals w ith things as they are.

I ment of the clay rests the responI sibility and the duty of maintaining full employment for all who are ! able and willing to work. I The average worker is heartily J sick of industrial lawlessness fo- ! mented by a minority of malcontents who acknowledge no respect for law and no recognition of the rights of others. "The present unsatisfactory state of affairs has been caused by weak administration of the labour laws Iby the Government. Threats, inI timidation, and direct action have | been allowed to pay rich dividends. | Our policj' is compulsory conciliation, compulsory arbitration, and fearless and impartial enforcement of the law. "To introduce democracy in industry the law will be amended to provide for secret ballots to be ' conducted by the Electoral Depart- ' ment to decide whether union mem- ! bership shall be compulsory or i voluntary; election of union officials ! and strike and lock-out issues. 'lmproved facilities will be provided for the quick hearing of disputes and compulsory conferences J of the parlies thereto, with penalties i enforceable at law. Compulsory | political levies will be abolished." Housing Policy ' Mr Holland stated that the National Party submitted practical I proposals to build more houses. While continuing to build State rental houses its policy would be to promote home ownership. To offset increased costs -a suspensory loan, of up to 10 per cent, of the total cost of houses costing up to £2OOO, would be offered subject to owner-occupation for seven years, after which the loan would be cancelled. A condition of these loans would be that unless the loan had been repaid the house might not be sold wihtout first being offered to the Government. This scheme was to continue in operation for three years.

* nhiective is to correct , years of socialism, effects 0I „ igf r ee from domma- | ythePgP" The Government i W the , P ?he people, and not » ld Se / P k to bend them to its jf|j " • „hk policy in detail, Mr f S that the . National a to restore incentives deS S enterprise; to stop the that caused tS soar; to make things *S voung families 'We I buildup production to sup"t ever-rising social services. t 0J t neople to be properly f J to encourage home Shin" he added. JBSWP' V n th w heels oi Kd trade, and .take the m S out of business. If ffSiU remove all unneces- , :l iols,,and, where we can, , 1 nher It will be our pur- . success, and to j E ihe fear of nationalisation j " ve Vie a Denalty on success. twill become worthwhile, the i Kd variety of goods wil Led and an honest financial J will stop further cuts in KtEfParty's policy is | U inflation through a sysiof finance which will maintain U balance between the supL m oney and the volume of k available. Thus the purchaser of wages, pensions, and j is generally, will be main-

ft ensure the establishment and jatenance of a stable internal te level, and to stop the cost of {.from rising, the control of mncy- and credit will be divorced in political control, and further betas in the purchasing power 'money (including pensions) will '.voided. This policy," stated Mr Holland 1 serve to keep the supply of ps and money in balance, so i increased production will mean jenuine increase in purchasing to; ensure that the blunder k during the depression period, allowing the supply of money to I below the volume of goods I services available, will not be eated; provide ample overseas ids for New Zealand's needs in-

"As an experiment, to promote more overtime work in house-build-ing the Government will bear the difference between ordinary" and overtime rates of pay in house building during the next two years, while building workers receiving overtime pay under this scheme will pay the wage and income taxes ruling for "ordinary" time. "Housing loan limits to exservicemen will be increased from £ISOO to £2OOO, with interest at 2 per cent, for tr|3 first year, and 3 per cent, thereafter. "Housing advances by the State Advances Corporation will be up to 90 per cent, for civilians, and up to 100 ner cent for ex-servicemen.

iing the purchase of raw materik industries, and maintain purSing power,. overcome shortages jl enable the removal of irkie restrictions and controls, so it everyone will be better off. pis cannot be done in a day a month, but by adherence to ! above principles the Party is pent that the time will soon tie when everyone will be better

"We propose' greatly widening the mortgage insurance scheme, which provides for extinction of mortgage liability in the event of the death of the breadwinner of the household. A voluntary scheme of joint ownership between husband and wife will be introduced as a means of eliminating death or succession duty payable on the family home when either husband or wife dies.

Taxation Policy Wing a full investigation of (national finances it is impossible sj)'which taxes shall be reduced. I there has been a great deal of ttil expenditure. A full inquiry Ibe made into the incidence of alion, including tax on tax. Taxin will be designed to reduce K costs, restore incentives to a and produce, and remove the «s on thrift and enterprise, * providing for reserves in or■to allow the expansion and jjtn of the national economy. 1.0 encourage thrift and reward •who are qualified by age for ■age benefit, but who do not draw * Personal exemption of these My people from income tax will m from the present level of oanew level of £3OO. This will [ equaly to the husband as to 3 w both have taxable in-

"State house tenants who desire to purchase the homes they now occupy will be permitted to do so at valuation and on easy terms.

"All existing State tenancies will be recognised as a binding contract and rents will, therefore, not be increased. Departmental houses will be erected for public servants who are subject to transfer in the course of their employment." Transport and Aviation

Mr Holland said his Party stood for the co-ordination of road, rail, sea and air transport under a reconstituted Transport Board free from political dictation. "Where the railways are unable to handle transport, preference will be given to small private operators, but licences will be for longer terms in order to increase efficiency. A thorough investigation of the operation of the railways will be made, in order to arrest the financial deterioration.

&? d stated that to reward K Who had, by their own thrift, F Provision through savings, gnuauon, or other schemes, eir own security after reach- ; a S as a first step to rernovVlp P. e r cent, penal tax on K 5 unearned incomes, S 0f taxable income would WlS d I s " ear ned" income reC fwhet heritwasfrom infedbPf° r rom earnings, and Nrißf f a » ed at the lQ wer rate \% Mr earned " incomes. lii atlonal Part y anxious Ri5 g mothers and womenWwH. t 0 obtain help in the { %E hey ' need [t - Man y age Civ? W ? uld § ladl y make W ailable for tb -is work, C klng after children, but MUr , y , earnin gs in excess Wis tv, ek reduce th eir age N sieu!u rer ? ove th is disabilitv, N k enefits wiU not be Nee and n. rmngs from d omestic helpers ~n h e+ earnings of domes£3 P er week will P*st2„ •S 1 ? wa § e taxation. abolished on all tee. "§ appliances used in the

"There will be separate operational and safety organisations to promote higher standards of safety in civil aviation. National Airways Corporation will be converted into a public corporation embracing both public and private capital, in order to widen the interest in its working and promote more efficient direction. Subsidiary air services will be operated by private enterprise, and aero clubs will be encouraged to undertake charter, taxi and feeder services. A trans-Tasman service botween Australia and the South Island will be inaugurated. "The Maoris are entitled to the privileges, responsibilities and rights of citizenship as of right, and not as concessions from the Pakeha. Special attention will be given to Maori health services, with additional X-ray plants and clinics, and training of more Maori dectors and nurses.

"T : H?e°E ge e ? tra Production, Jf UardVr e . penalt y° n who *>able * ncome tax and wage Nation T d , case3 > not exceed " et Ced e had the tax " • ,'Jistead nf ordl nary" rates of Kafirs? f c ? vertlra e rates, a te n ? t towards the ulLfespital n„, taxation on land ? le 4lnn t P ° SeS ' the taxation fe 1 that l exceed the average ** Period» S Payable in the SiSSd continued Mr ? S * its n ? ° oUrage bv evei T 2»>Uon7 er Profit-sharing fJ* vS £»«« systems. It lf hi § h er pro*eH proved o« gl ? greater < trib "ted to efficiency, all H on should • cv, the ln creased W rr^L Shar ° fairlv in V, art y hel? >? m lt The Na " sense of fl>Crsi Cultivated beV'l 4ht n nd em P ] oyee S so ? 0f Pulling i»° gress together \ t ng ln opposite direc- >•*« on the Govern-

"There will be special education in Maori arts and craits and in the Maori language. Young Maoris will be trained for the building trade and the primary industries, with financial fnr land development. There will be an early investigation and settlement of outstanding Maori land claims. Migration to the towns will not be encouraged, but suitable industries will be established in Maori centres." Support For Industry •'We wholeheartedly support the idea of an economic system owned, directed, and controlled by private enterprise, as free as possible from dictation bv the State," continued Mr Holland. "It is our contention that a system organised by thousands of individual traders will always out-supply and out-serve one controlled by a centralised bureaucracy. Sound industries are a national asset, and industries with reasonable standards of efficiency

political Board of Trade will be established to advise the Government on tariff matters, on the allocation of overseas funds, and to overhaul and simplify the allocation of licences. Because of the Governments policy in repaying £95 millions of overseas loans in four years, sometimes in advance of the due date, sterling funds have become so depleted that a continuation of import licensing is necessary in the meantime, but sterling goods not competing with New Zealandmade goods will be decontrolled. "The interests of women and children will receive sympathetic consideration from a National Party Government. The particular problems of mothers are increased living costs; no suitable bold in the home; shortages of essential articles, particularly children's clothing; and reduced household deliveries. "Every effort .will be made to improve matters under these headings. Shortages wil be remedied, and no trader will want for a delivery van to enable him to resume deliveries. The policy of lenient treatment of dangerous offender.-, against women and children will be ended, and there will be a free vote in Parliament on the restoration of capita) and corporal punishment. Social Security

"All Social Security benefits will continue, and Ihe National Party will overhaul and strengthen the whole system of administration. The allowable income of ape beneficiaries will be increased from £1 to £j I.os and age benefits will be increased by 2s (id per week for every year that application frr the ape benefit is delayed. Socia l Security benefits will not be a/Tee ted by carnip.fi.l; in domestic service. 'The National Party's objective is a healthier nation- —more active prevention instead of hope annual increases in (he amount spent on medicine. Health education in schools will be intensified. "Primary production is the foundation of our national economy and Ihe main source of the overseas lunds by which we pay for imported poods, raw materials for our industries, and charges on our overseas debt. Only by expanding production can we support expanding social services. We must increase the attractiveness of farm life by providing' more housing telephones, electricity and other amenities in country districts. Land settlement will be vigorously pursued, with'the object of completing soldier settlement and satisfying the claims of young farmers and farm workers for land. Farm costs must be reduced and there will be a national lime and superphosphate subsidy. Act <o be Modified "The Land Sales Act will be abolished at the earliest possible moment, but this will be; clone in stages, so that the effects of each stage can be observed before the next step is taken. It is to be hoped that the entire Act can be repealed within a year. The following important changes in the existing Land Sales law will be made at mice: —The hypothetical and "average farmer" basis of valuation will be abolished; "1942 vaiue;;" will be replaced by "current, '-aha.;" and capitalisation will be at '! per cent, instead of 4;'. per cent.: (he Compensation Courts to fix va'ues of land taken compulsorily will be restored, with the right of vendors to appoint their own assessors; fanners will be entitled

j In retain ;i "J'amily-sb.cd" farm, sn I that their sons may be able. In take; , up farming. I "Building sections, commercial properties and residences selling at l over £3,000, and ether properties j selling at less than £750, will all be I de-contro'lod, leaving only residenI tial properties selling at between | £750 and £3OOO subject to control; ! and if. is expected that these controls j will be abolished within a year. "Private enterprise competition in the Workers' Compensation Insurance field will be restored. "Price control is a subtle, inefficient and dictatorial form of socialism. It rewards inefficiency and pena'ises efficiency, causing shortages, high prices, and a loss of qualify. There are two ways of controlling prices—either by bureaucratic know-alls or by healthy competition. We prefer the latter, and as a first slop to the complete removal of the present system will suspend price control wherever supplies of goods are ample, and give ihe price controllers concerned useful jobs c'sewhere. To say that if price control is removed the people will be exploited is a libel en our I

i manufacturers and shopkeepers. “The National Party will not try > to outbid the Labour Party in public works programmes, but will classify . contcmnlated works according to ’ their urgency after full investiga- ! tion. As labour and materials be- ■ conic available there will be expansion and speeding up of the works programme and the necessary hy-dro-electric works, roads, bridges and airports will be pressed on vigorously. Completing - .Hydro Schemes “A long-range programme that is visualised includes completion of the present hydro-electric schemes, installation of auxuliarv generating sets, expansion of King’s Wharf (Auckland) and a new station at Evans Bay (Wellington). “The hydro-electric potentialities of. the South Island Sounds will be investigated. Rimutaka tunnel will be completed and Paeroa-Pokeno railway and Nelson-Murchison railway will receive attention. Many new railway stations arc needed. High priority will be accorded those at Christchurch, Hastings and Frankton. Auckland Harbour Bridge, Palmerston North Railway deviation, alternative road outlets at Auckland and Wellington, Lyttelton tunnel road. Waitaki traffic bridge, and international airports at Auckland and Christchurch are ineluded in the long-term programme. Rcngotai airport will be rebuilt. “It is time for a stocktaking in oducation,” concluded Mr Holland. “Our objective will be; ‘Education for citizenship in a democracy.’ There will be (he closest collaboration between the Government and ah sections cf the teaching profession, with recognition and encouragement of school committees and parents’ and teachers’ associations in order to bring parents, teachers and the community closer together. A vigorous building programme will be maintained, and the teaching service expanded, in order to reduce the size of classes. Every encouragement will be given to secondary and university education. No Party has ever been so well qualified as the National Party, bv reason of its experienced personnel, to put into effect a progressive education